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Hazardous Substances Demand Your Respect

You may be at risk of accidental poisonings, chemical burns, or suffocation. It depends on where you work and the substances you handle. Knowing and following the right safety steps can help keep you safe. These are some of the hazards you may come across:

  • Asphyxiants. These gases displace or dilute breathable air (oxygen). They can cause suffocation in large quantities. Examples are carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

  • Carcinogens. These chemicals can cause cancer after many years if you swallow them, breathe them in, or soak them up through your skin. Examples are asbestos, dioxin (in Agent Orange), radon, vinyl chloride, and benzene.

  • Compressed gases. These substances are often stored in cylinders under high pressure. This can knock down people or walls.

  • Corrosives. These acids or alkaline substances can penetrate or burn through the skin. Examples are nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide.

  • Flammables. These are liquids, vapors, or gases that can catch fire or explode. This can happen when they are exposed to a flame, an operating electrical tool, or a static spark. Examples are methane and propane.

  • Teratogens. These can lead to birth defects. Examples are isotretinoin, excess vitamin A, alcohol, radiation, and thalidomide.

  • Toxic chemicals. These can damage the body's organs when they're inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. Examples are lead, cadmium, and pesticides.

Safety steps

Talk with your supervisor to find out what you're working with. Ask how to work safely with it. Also do the following:

  • Read the employer's Safety Data Sheet. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires your employer to have a sheet for each chemical in use.

  • Get the facts. OSHA rules require employers to give the correct training to any worker who uses hazardous chemicals.

  • Get training. Learn about the chemicals you're working with and how to handle them. Learn how to use the right personal and protective equipment. Also learn how to respond to emergencies. Know the maximum amount of exposure time that is safe for the chemicals you are using.

  • Always read the label. The label will tell you if a substance is flammable, corrosive, or cancer-causing. It also will state if you need to wear a respirator, put on gloves, or work under a chemical hood.

  • Wear protective equipment. You may need a respirator, hard hat, steel-toed shoes, gloves, splash goggles, or face shield.

  • Learn to use emergency equipment. That might include eyewash stations or deluge showers. Learn how to turn on emergency alarms in the event of a fire, spill, or other chemical release.

  • Report any problems. Know how to file a confidential safety and health report if you believe that something in your workplace is hazardous and is not being addressed by your employer.

Online Medical Reviewer: Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Robert Hurd MD
Date Last Reviewed: 9/1/2025
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.